Editing Passiflora edulis (section)

==Cultivation==
[[File:Unripe passion fruit.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Unripe passion fruit]]

Passion fruit is widely grown in [[tropical]] and [[subtropics|semitropical]] regions of the world.<ref name=morton/> In the [[United States]], it is cultivated in [[Florida]], [[Hawaii]], and [[California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/passionfruit.html|title=Passion fruit: ''Passiflora edulis / P. edulis flavicarpa, Passifloraceae''|publisher=California Rare Fruit Growers|date=1996|access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> They generally have to be [[Hard frost|protected from frost]], although certain cultivars have survived light frosts after heavy pruning of affected areas.<ref name="Schotsmans">{{cite book | last1=Schotsmans | first1=W. C | last2=Fischer | first2=G. | title=Postharvest Biology and Technology of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits | chapter=Passion fruit ( Passiflora edulis Sim.) | publisher=Elsevier | year=2011 | isbn=978-0-85709-090-4 | doi=10.1533/9780857092618.125 | pages=125–143}}</ref>

===Pollination===
The flower of the yellow-fruited form of the passion fruit plant is [[self-sterile]], while that of the purple-fruited form is [[self-compatible]].<ref name="morton" /> In California, it is reported that [[pollination]] of flowers is most effective when done by the [[carpenter bee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/passionfruit.html|title=Passion Fruit|date=1996|website=California Rare Fruit Growers|access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Yamamoto|first1=Marcela|last2=da Silva|first2=Cláudia Inês|last3=Augusto|first3=Solange Cristina|last4=Barbosa|first4=Ana Angélica Almeida|last5=Oliveira|first5=Paulo Eugênio|date=2012-09-01|title=The role of bee diversity in pollination and fruit set of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis forma flavicarpa, Passifloraceae) crop in Central Brazil|journal=Apidologie|language=en|volume=43|issue=5|pages=515–526|doi=10.1007/s13592-012-0120-6|s2cid=15439381|issn=1297-9678|url=https://hal.science/hal-01003642/file/hal-01003642.pdf }}</ref> There are three types of yellow passion fruit flowers, classified by curvature of style.<ref name="morton" /> To help assure the presence of carpenter bees, some gardeners place decaying logs near the vines, which provide shelter for the bees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/wildlife/carpenter-bees-ze0z1305zpit|title=Carpenter Bees: The (Harmless!) Garden Pollinators|last=Grissell|first=Eric|date=6 May 2013|work=Mother Earth News}}</ref>

===Diseases===
====Viruses====
[[Passion fruit woodiness virus]] is one of the most well-known viruses to the passion fruit. It belongs to the ''[[Potyvirus]]'' group and can attack a plant at any age from nursery to mature plants. Some features include yellow leaves that display distortion in the leaf length and shape. As well as affecting the leaf, this virus influences fruit shape and size. Affected fruits become stone-like and much smaller than normal, with many fruits becoming scabbed and cracked. The virus is spread by sap-sucking insects such as aphids and mites. Woodiness can also spread through vegetation propagation such as infected scions or contaminated tools. There is no chemical control for this virus once the plant is infected, but the use of clean planting material can reduce its dissemination.<ref name="passion fruit woodiness">{{cite book|url=http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/JournalsSup/images/0812/PT_2(1)1-19o.pdf |author=Fischer, Ivan H. |author2=Rezende, Jorge A. M.|year=2008|title=Pest Technology: Diseases of Passion Flower (''Passiflora'' spp.)|publisher=Global Science Books|access-date=13 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818190841/http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/JournalsSup/images/0812/PT_2(1)1-19o.pdf|archive-date=18 August 2014}}</ref>

One of the most serious viruses pertaining to vegetation is the [[cucumber mosaic virus]]. In the passion fruit, this virus appears with yellow mottling on leaves starting at random points on the vine and diminishing in intensity towards the tip. Expanding leaves typically become twisted, curl downward, and develop a "shoestring" appearance as a result of a restriction of the leaf surface. It is mobile and can spread easily through interactions with other plants such as brushing between leaves. This virus is naturally transmitted through aphids and can also be transmitted mechanically through seedlings. Varietal resistance is the primary management tool, and eliminating weeds and infected perennial ornamentals that may harbor the virus is critical. Once the plant has been infected, there is no possible management or control for the virus.<ref name="passion fruit woodiness" />

====Phytoplasma====
Overshooting is the term used when ''[[Phytoplasma]]'', a specialized [[bacterium]], attacks the [[phloem]] of a plant. ''Phytoplasma'' infection is characterized by [[chlorotic]] small leaves, shortening of [[internode (botany)|internodes]], excessive lateral [[Shoot (botany)|shoot]]s and abnormal flowers. Although there have been reports of this disease within the passion fruit plant,<ref name="diseases">{{cite web|url=http://www.kari.org/sites/default/files/hort/Passion_fruit_diseases_manual.pdf|title=Manual for identification of passion fruit diseases and their management|publisher=Horticulture and Industrial Crops, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi|vauthors=Amata RL, etal|website=www.kari.org|date=June 2011|access-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924220406/http://www.kari.org/sites/default/files/hort/Passion_fruit_diseases_manual.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> many infected plants are affected without visible signs of disease. Although ''Phytoplasma'' can be spread through [[grafting]], it can be inhibited by periodic inspection of plant nurseries and areas that have had past infections.<ref name="diseases" /> Overshooting responds to treatment with [[tetracycline]], a common [[broad-spectrum]] [[antibiotic]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

====Bacteria====
[[Bacterial leaf spot]], which causes [[vein (botany)|vein]] clearing, forms bright yellow colonies causing infection and leaf wilt and, eventually, deterioration of fruit pulp, especially of young fruits. Under favorable conditions for the bacteria, infection occurs through natural openings or wounds from other pathogens that affect leaf inter-cellular spaces. Fertilizers or a copper chloride and [[mancozeb]] mixture can control the intensity of the disease, but are not a cure.<ref name="bacterial spot">{{cite web|url=http://www.kau.edu/prsvkm/Docs/DiseasesofPassionFruit.pdf|title=Diseases of passion fruit (''Passiflora edulis'')|vauthors=Joy PP, Sherin CG |publisher=Kerala University, Kerala, India|date=2012|access-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423002223/http://www.kau.edu/prsvkm/Docs/DiseasesofPassionFruit.pdf|archive-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>

The bacterial grease-spot of the passion fruit is caused by [[Pseudomonas syringae]].<ref name="bacterial grease spot">{{cite journal|title=Bacterial grease-spot disease of passion fruit|vauthors=Baigent NL, Starr MP |doi=10.1080/00288233.1963.10419317|date=5 January 2012|volume=6|journal=New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research|issue=1–2|pages=24–38|doi-access=free}}</ref> It appears with olive-green to brown greasy-looking spots or brown, sunken circular lesions. On a later stage, a hard crust can cover the lesions showing a chlorotic halo. Affecting mainly the [[stomata]], the grease-spot thrives in high temperatures and high relative humidity. To avoid infection, measures that may be adopted include planting seeds from healthy plants and using existing healthy areas. [[Fungicide]] controls can aid in preventing further infection.<ref name="bacterial grease spot" />

====Fungal diseases====
[[Collar rot]] disease is caused by the fungus ''[[Fusarium solani]]''. It is characterized by [[necrotic]] lesions at the collar region, browning of the stem at soil level, and dark discoloration of the stem. The rotting stem interferes with food and water transport within the plant, leading to withering of the plant until death. Infection occurs mostly through contaminated soil and infected plants which cause the plants to survive for only a few weeks. There are no chemical controls. Management includes planting seedlings in unaffected areas and using clean tools.<ref name="bacterial spot" />

The fungus called [[fusarium wilt]] commonly occurs in adult plants and is caused by ''[[Fusarium oxysporum]]''. The pathogen has ability to survive for long periods, penetrating roots, invading the [[xylem]], and preventing the transport of water and nutrients to other organs of the plant. Once infected, this disease causes leaves to yellow and browning of the vascular system until they wilt and die. It occurs in any type of soil infecting all plants. Management of crops includes planting clean seedlings, uprooting and burning infected plants, and using sterilized tools.<ref name="wilt">{{cite web|url=http://www.padil.gov.au/pests-and-diseases/pest/main/136585|title=Fusarium wilt of passion fruit|publisher=PaDIL, an initiative of the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture|date=2007|access-date=16 December 2014}}</ref>

The [[anthracnose]], a canker caused by ''Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes'', is a pathogen of the passion fruit creating dark and sunken lesions of the [[trunk (botany)|trunk]].<ref name="anthracnose">{{cite journal|title=First Report of ''Colletotrichum boninense'', ''C. capsici'', and a ''Glomerella'' sp. as Causes of Postharvest Anthracnose of Passion Fruit in Florida|vauthors=Tarnowski TL, Ploetz RC |journal=Plant Disease|year=2010|volume=94|issue=6|page=786|doi=10.1094/PDIS-94-6-0786C|pmid=30754330|doi-access=free|bibcode=2010PlDis..94..786T }}</ref> By attacking mature passion fruit trees, these lesions cause intense defoliation and fruit rot. Many leaves die due to the foliar lesions and the skin of fruits becomes papery. Under warm and humid conditions, this disease can worsen, causing red and orange spores eventually killing the plant. Infection is carried out through the residues of the passion flower, infected seeds, seedlings, and cuttings. Managing this disease involves a combination of using pathogen-free seedlings, eliminating infected areas, and improving ventilation and light conditions. Copper-based fungicides on injured areas can prevent the spread of disease.<ref name="anthracnose" />